Joy (left) and Bossom said their boats were discriminated against

Paul Joy and Graeme Bossom, both from Hastings, had argued that their small boats - under 10m (32.8ft) - should mean exemption from keeping records.

European record-keeping laws did not apply to their boats and so it was discriminatory for British authorities to require logbooks, they argued.

But three judges rejected the appeal against their conviction on Thursday.

The court also refused the men permission to appeal against fines they were given at Lewes Crown Court in January last year.

Inshore fishing

Joy, of Ashburnham Road in Hastings, was fined �4,996, while Bossom, of Edmund Road in the town, was ordered to pay �4,074.

Both men also had �2,500 costs imposed on them.

The pair make their living from inshore fishing in boats launched off the beach at Hastings.

Lord Justice Gage, sitting with Mr Justice Forbes and Mrs Justice Cox in the Court of Appeal, said the size of their boats did not "bestow a right on the owners... to fish entirely without regard to the amount of their catch".

Joy and Bossom's lawyers had said the conditions on their fishing licences were an unfair burden and did not tally with EC regulations.